Fact: The Taliban did not stop girls from being educated. When I returned to Kabul in 2002 the university had just re-opened and more girls than boys had passed the entrance exam.

The author says I kept my promise ‘like a good submissive woman’. Sorry dude, I kept my word because that is the honorable thing to do. I come from a part of the world (England) where your word is your bond. How bizarre you should regard truthfulness, honesty and honour as though they are alien concepts.

The author seems to think that women in Afghanistan and Iraq are treated like punchbags. Hmm, has he acquainted himself with the domestic violence figures in the USA? I think not. I have travelled many times to these countries and I found the women to be resillient, switched on and intelligent whether they had been formally educated or not.

Having re-read this blog several times what really concerns me is his alarming, woeful and inadequate use of english grammar. While I can’t comment on the remainder of his blog with regards other speakers, what I can say to him is: Get your facts right. Read more and educate yourself. Disseminate propaganda from reality and myth. Then once you have assembled all the facts contact me and I will give you some writing lessons … or can’t you take it from a woman? Thankfully, I was able to do all the above and more enabling me to draw the conclusion that there are some wonderfully bright, intelligent and educated people in California who have open minds and are willing to listen even if they don’t agree.

If you want to know more about me please check out my website http://www.yvonneridley.org or switch on to Press TV where I have a political-economic show twice a week.

Kindest regards
Yvonne Ridley
Journalist and author